Ontogenetic Changes in the Bone Histology of the Late Jurassic OrnithopodDryosaurus lettowvorbecki

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Abstract
Histological changes through ontogeny in Dryosaurus lettowvorbecki are reported. Thin sections of femora are examined using light microscopy (ordinary and polarized light). The results suggests that Dryosaurus grew rapidly throughout ontogeny without any pauses in its bone deposition rate. This pattern differs uniquely from the histological descriptions of prior studies of growth series of other dinosaur taxa. This study provides support to the hypothesis that dinosaurs probably exhibited a range of physiologies and growth patterns.